04/28/2019
Do you lean on God’s promises for your hope? Does His Word not only give you hope, but does it allow you to live abundantly again? Sometimes our hopelessness becomes a millstone around our neck, and it is so burdensome that to go on living seems futile, but even in such drastic times we can find hope and relief in the Word of God, and certain joy in His promises.
“Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.”
Psalms 119:49-50 ESV
When we find ourselves broken, or in need, do we take our condition expectantly to the Lord? If not, we should, and if we do then how do we pray? God’s desire is for us to love and obey Him, and it is also that we lead a full and abundant life. Is this your understanding of His Word? Do you lean on His promises with an expectation of certain fulfillment?
“Whatever you particular need may be, you can find a promise in the Bible suited to it.” - Charles Stanley
When I was a boy my parents would tell my siblings and me things like... if we were good they would take us to get an ice cream cone, or when our rooms were clean we could go out and play with our friends. They made promises predicated on our behavior, and stood by their promises. God stands by His as well. The interesting thing about the promise of getting the ice cream cone was that it didn’t usually occur immediately... my parents didn’t drop everything they were doing and immediately take us to the soda shop... no, they would take us when their day’s schedule permitted, and as kids that meant we had to do a few things. First, we had to continue to be behave well, second, we had to believe they were going to adhere to their word, and finally, we had to keep reminding them that they had promised us.
Just like my parents, and the promises they made, God is true to His Word as well. When we are in need it is good that we take our needs to the Father, but it is more than good for us to search out His Word for instruction regarding our specific dilemma, and pray based on His promise. God keeps His promises whether we understand them or not, and whether we know them or not, but our satisfaction in His provision, and our expectation of a certain outcome depend on how He has spoken. Perhaps if He promised us ice cream there was a certain behavior He expected of us?
“Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”
Proverbs 30:5-6 ESV
Here are a couple of examples from the book of Exodus. The first is Moses speaking, and He is telling the Israelites about one of God’s promises; what God will do, and what they must do. God will fight for them, but they must be silent...
“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent."”
Exodus 14:14 ESV
The second example is in one of the Ten Commandments. Not all of them contain a specific promise, but this one’s does God is promising that your days “may be long in the land”, but it is predicated on honoring your father and mother.
“"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 ESV
So it is important that we understand God’s promises when we pray, not only so that we can remind Him of His Word, but so that we can do what is expected of us as well. How often are we dissatisfied with our prayer life, or criticize God’s truthfulness, simply because we don’t understand the promise? How often do we expect Him to drop everything and take us to the soda shop when His will dictates that we must wait until evening? How many times have we fallen into depression and hopelessness because we didn’t do our part, or otherwise understand his promise or will? Understanding God’s will, and His promises, makes certain that our hope thrives, and that our burden doesn’t become too great, but greatest of all is that we find joy in not only the answer to our prayers, but in the prayers themselves; this makes the waiting as fruitful as the answer itself.
God desires us to have life, and to live it abundantly, for this reason He sent His Din Jesus; let’s listen to these words of promise...
“I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
John 10:9-10 ESV
Jesus says that His part is to give us life, and give it to us abundantly, but our part is to enter into Him. In this way we will be saved, and we will be satisfied by finding pasture... our lives will be contented and filled with joy.
So, how do you pray, what are your expectations, do you understand what God promises, and are you living up to what is required of you? Study God’s Word, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that you will find contentment, joy, and the answers to your prayers.
“And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."”
Matthew 21:22 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for answering my prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, and for doing so as I fulfill those things that you have asked of me in conjunction with your promises, and that your will requires. Thank you Holy Father for your goodness, and the truthfulness of your Word. Thank you for your Son Jesus, and for the power we have in praying in His name. Teach us Merciful Father to lean on you, and to be patient as we wait on your perfect will as it relates to our prayers, and your promises. Protect us against hopelessness by our understanding of your promises, and character. Let our contentment and joy abound in not only your answers to our prayers, but in the asking, as we come before you all the days of our lives in hope, and anticipation of your provision. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who holds true to His promises, and brings hope into our lives. Great is your name, and great is your Son Jesus Christ who obeys your will always. May our worship please you always, and bring you Glory forevermore... even as we faithfully listen for your voice in our prayer closets.
“I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant. Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.”
Psalms 119:75-77 ESV
Rich Forbes